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A gifted travel writer and poet tells of her journey to Madascar to explore Malagasy oral traditions and myths

Table of Contents

Illustrations

Introduction

The Tapestry of Languages in Translation

Selected Bibliography

AND ALL THE TOWNS BETWEEN

How Stories Came to Be: three views

Origins of Myths, Alphonse Raharison

Tapasiry: Tales from the South, Aurelien de Moussa Behavira

The Oral Tradition, Ernest Rakotosalama

UNDER SOUTHERN SKIES: MEMOIRS OF TOLIARA

Papango Fito Loha: Seven-headed Hawk

Just Head

Babaky: Squash Boy

TRAFFIC IN SALT COUNTRY

The Three Brothers

Two Girls and the Old Woman

Rafaravavy and Randrianoro

SPIRITS OF WATER, SPIRITS OF LAKES

The Legend of Tritriva

Rafara: Girl of the Waters

ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS

Raharinora and Randriantsara

Faralahy Mahery: Strong Youngest Son

Ravolamamba and Tsaramiamby

PEOPLE OF THE HIGHLANDS; PEOPLE OF THE LONG VALLEYS; PEOPLE OF THE THORNS

It Was There But Goes By Quickly (hiragasy)

Moonlight poem by Mme. Madeline

Water: The Source of Life poem by Mme. Madeline

The Way to Say Farewell poem by M. Ernest

Each Day Now Breaks poem by M. Rado

Afrika! poem by M. Rado

Maliciousness poem by M. Rado

Nostalgia poem by M. Rado

TURNING THE BONES

Andriananahary (Zanahary) sy Andriantompo: The Lord Who Creates and the Lord Who Owns

THE LIGHT STILL SHINES TOMORROW

The Rite of Bathing the King

Jadan'Ikoto

Jaotombo, The Fisherman

ONLY THE SEA BEYOND

Betombokoantsoro: The Monster

Index

Reviews

"McElroy's well-worded account of the sights, sounds, and people of Madagascar offers the reader a genuine sense of place. Filled with magic and intrigue, Over the Lip of the World will take its readers precisely there."
*Rain Taxi*

"A fascinating look at a part of the world not often explored."
*Booklist*

"A Piquant glimpse into Malagasy storytelling, set to advantage by the kind of poised writing that makes one slow down, read carefully, savor."
*Kirkus Reviews*